Kurt was born and raised in western Iowa. After high school Kurt served in the Army for a couple of years, during which he accepted Christ. Kurt then attended the University of Iowa and began participating in a campus Bible study that included Pete Grose and, eventually, his future wife Brenda. In 1994, the Jurgensmeiers moved to Cedar Rapids and helped begin New Life, meeting in their living room for Sunday worship. Along the way, Kurt and Brenda have added five children, two dogs, a tank of fish, and moved to their current residence next door to the New Life ministry center. When not engaged in ministry, Kurt enjoys pro football, pretending to play golf, and wrestling with his twin boys.